Rwanda, Welcome Home
We are now going on our third week in Rwanda and I have started several blogs only to come to an abrupt stop. It is simply hard to describe everything in detail out here. I’ll describe the moments that have left impressions on us so far.
We have come to find that the expat group is truly a lifeline out here. People look out for one another and we have found that these people often become instant friends. I don’t know if it is because they are interested in making a difference out here, like being outside their comfort zones, or simply crave adventure and are willing to try new things, but I am really surprised at how much at home we feel here. I guess I knew I would, but Jenn has really made some amazing friends in the few weeks we’ve been here. In fact, there seem to be toddlers Jack’s age popping out of the woodworks! Every one of them has become an instant friend. It makes being here long-term much more palatable.
It is relatively new out here. You can really sense that the second you walk through the doors. We knew we were up for a challenge with Jack’s energy and not knowing how things worked.
Turned out that there were other toddlers his age that were being clumped together in a primary. Anyway, Jenn and I created our own nursery to keep up with the movers and shakers of the group.
He is more willing to let me hold him especially when he knows that there are hundreds of people out there just ready pinch his fat cheeks and plump arms. We have had to stop people from wanting to snatch him up and hold him. He is kind of an exotic little specimen out here. He is definitely not liking it at all and keeps pretty close to us and will tell people no really fast if they try and touch him.
It has been intense going from the flat ole state of Texas to these wild hills. Everywhere you look there is a view. What makes things even more interesting is having to go up these dirt roads with insane ruts and rivets in them from the torrential rainstorms that pass through at any given moment (we have had 5 big ones happen so far and this is supposed to be the short dry season). It is a dang good thing that we have been renting a land cruiser for the last few weeks because there is no other way to make it up some of these hills.
It is like off-roading in Moab which Jack and I are big fans of. Jack pretty much thinks every hill is a big slide and he gets a kick out of the hundreds of motor bikes that wiz past us with a death wish. Jenn is still deciding whether she likes it or not. Most of the time she is gripping on the little top handle for dear life, but once I get our awesome Toyota Hilux truck, she will feel right at home on these roads!
It is really a little paradise and our dogs feel right at home out here. We have a gardener/guard/all-around amazing assistant named Theo. He came with the house we are renting and is probable the most amazing part of being here.
He doesn’t speak a lick of English so Jenn and I have been forced to start learning Kinyarwanda, but he is the most amazing worker I have ever met. I have to force him to take breaks otherwise he just keeps cleaning and gardening till there is nothing to do. He does the work that would probably take 3-4 normal people, but he is just amazing. He has become our closest Rwandan friend out here and we simply trust him with anything and everything. The dogs like him too.
Expat Connection
The moment we got out of the airport we had some expats here ready to greet us. Jenn had simply met some people on Facebook and somehow, the Bannick family felt like they knew us well enough to take us into their home. They hosted us for a good week and a half, helped us get connected with cell service, and really showed us the ropes. They also helped us find our amazing home.We have come to find that the expat group is truly a lifeline out here. People look out for one another and we have found that these people often become instant friends. I don’t know if it is because they are interested in making a difference out here, like being outside their comfort zones, or simply crave adventure and are willing to try new things, but I am really surprised at how much at home we feel here. I guess I knew I would, but Jenn has really made some amazing friends in the few weeks we’ve been here. In fact, there seem to be toddlers Jack’s age popping out of the woodworks! Every one of them has become an instant friend. It makes being here long-term much more palatable.
Church
Turned out that there were other toddlers his age that were being clumped together in a primary. Anyway, Jenn and I created our own nursery to keep up with the movers and shakers of the group.
Going to the Market with Jack
It has been a really special experience for me to take my son and wife into the markets and down the dirt roads of Africa. While it’s different than Kenya (surprisingly much cleaner), there is a loud chaos that exists here just like the streets I walked on as a missionary. Jack just sits on my shoulders, listening and watching all of the new stuff going on.
He is more willing to let me hold him especially when he knows that there are hundreds of people out there just ready pinch his fat cheeks and plump arms. We have had to stop people from wanting to snatch him up and hold him. He is kind of an exotic little specimen out here. He is definitely not liking it at all and keeps pretty close to us and will tell people no really fast if they try and touch him.Hills for DAYS!
It has been intense going from the flat ole state of Texas to these wild hills. Everywhere you look there is a view. What makes things even more interesting is having to go up these dirt roads with insane ruts and rivets in them from the torrential rainstorms that pass through at any given moment (we have had 5 big ones happen so far and this is supposed to be the short dry season). It is a dang good thing that we have been renting a land cruiser for the last few weeks because there is no other way to make it up some of these hills.
Finding What We Need
We are realizing that shopping is no longer a simple task. We go to the German Butcher for meat and ice cream, the Chinese supermarket for appliances (that don’t work…go figure), the “Made in Italy” grocery store for our cheese and pasta needs, and everything else we just have to figure out on the way. We are learning new tricks of the trade every day from some of these veteran expats who have done things by trial and error. One thing is for sure though…life really slows down and you can pretty much expect one stop to take an hour or two even if you are just going for a couple things.The Whiting Manor
Karibuni! (welcome one and all!) to the Whiting Manor. We found this beautiful place for rent and Jenn fell in love. It has an amazing view (like many places) and has an amazing garden as well.
He doesn’t speak a lick of English so Jenn and I have been forced to start learning Kinyarwanda, but he is the most amazing worker I have ever met. I have to force him to take breaks otherwise he just keeps cleaning and gardening till there is nothing to do. He does the work that would probably take 3-4 normal people, but he is just amazing. He has become our closest Rwandan friend out here and we simply trust him with anything and everything. The dogs like him too.
